Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) will launch the world's first engine-powered hybrid forklift truck *1 in Japan in December.

The first model will be a 3.5-tonne payload diesel-electric hybrid - the "GENEO-HYBRID".

Growing awareness of the global environment and rising crude oil prices have accelerated the need to reduce CO2 emissions and increase forklift fuel efficiency, says Toyota Material Handling Australia President Steve Harper.

"Last year, the Australian market for battery-powered forklifts represented 50.2 per cent of the total counter-balance market, so battery-powered machines are increasing their share," he says.

"On the other hand, battery-powered forklifts require the installation of charging facilities and can have problems with continuous operation in some applications, so at the moment battery-powered forklifts only represent a tiny percentage of the total market for machines over three-tonne capacity."

Against this background, TICO has developed its hybrid system, utilising the hybrid technology from Toyota Motor Corporation to match forklifts that travel while handling a load and require frequent starting and stopping.

The new "GENEO-HYBRID" Toyota machine combines a diesel engine, electric motor and battery power to achieve world-class fuel efficiency.

It reduces CO² emission and fuel consumption*2 by 50 per cent, while keeping the same operating performance as a current 3.5-tonne diesel-powered forklift.

TICO, as the world's leading forklift manufacturer, says it will strengthen the development of technology that has high operational performance and strong environmental benefits, by offering technological advances in battery forklifts and developing clean engines.

It says the result will be a reduced environmental impact for customers and improved economic efficiency. The feature and specifications of the "GENEO-HYBRID" are shown below:

1. GENEO-HYBRID - features Technical aspects

Utilising Power Electronics Technology which has been cultivated over many years thorough battery forklift development, TICO developed the highly efficient hybrid system for forklifts to provide excellent reliability, durability and low maintenance costs.

Adapts the Series Hybrid System*3 for travelling, and Parallel Hybrid System*4 for load handling, as the best hybrid structure for forklift operation.

·Adapts the nickel-metal hydride battery, a proven system in hybrid cars, for electric storage device. Performance aspects

·50 per cent reduction of CO2 emission and fuel consumption*2, while having the same operating performance as a current diesel-powered forklift.

·The same comfortable manoeuvrability as a battery-powered forklift in traveling and load-handling operation.

Forklift outline:

Overall length/width/height 4005/1350/2140(mm)

Maximum Travel Speed 19km/h

Load Capacity 3500kg

Engine 2.5-litre Diesel Drive motor

Output 26kW

Battery Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery  

*1: Researched by TICO at the end of April, 2009.

*2: Tested by TICO based on the JIS, equivalent to VDI, Operating Cycle.

*3: The system in which the drive motor is driven with electric power - generated by the diesel engine-powered dynamo.

*4: The system in which the load-handling hydraulic pump is run by both engine and dynamo.

About Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.

 

Celebrating more than 40 years of established operations in the United States, Irvine, Calif.-based Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc., (TMHU) has been the number-one selling lift truck supplier in the U.S. since 2002 and currently offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation of excellence, Toyota remains popular due to its quality, reliability and durability. Quality is the hallmark of Toyota’s world-renowned Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) in Columbus, Ind. Most of the Toyota lift trucks, including the 8-Series, sold in the United States are manufactured at TIEM.

 

TIEM, and all Toyota manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada, comply with the ISO 14001 standard from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and have been honored for their environmental management systems and dedication to continuous improvement. Toyota remains the first and only manufacturer in the world to offer a factory installed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel system that is UL-listed, and EPA-CARB certified. Toyota’s LPG-, CNG- and gasoline-powered 8-Series lift trucks produce 70 percent less smog-forming emissions than the current federal EPA standard and meet California’s more stringent 2010 emission standard.1

 

Toyota’s commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Sixty-eight authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers, with a total of 190 dealership locations throughout the United States, offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service and financing.